Two years earlier…

Debra and Peter walked together down the science center hallway. They had been working on research in Doc Connors lab. Debra truly enjoyed their time together. Ever since Peter had yelled at Felicia, Peter spent more attention on Debra. Over the last two weeks they had gone out for coffee or dinner after laboratory sessions. During that time she had gotten Peter to open up to her about his family, school, and work. He was still hiding something but Debra had a pretty good idea of what that was. She just couldn't understand why he would take part in that pointless charade. She supposed that he was helping people, but really he was foolishly risking his life and wasting his time on some sort of pointless calling. If only he'd turn his efforts back to science, back to research, he might be capable of truly great advances in medicine and technology. Debra was starting to believe that if their relationship continued this way, she might be able to convince him to give up being Spider-man.

"So I was thinking at our next lab meeting we should tell Doctor Connors about the research proposal we've been talking about. I think it's got a lot of potential. Although, you'd need to start spending more time in the lab," Debra said.

"Well, we could mention it to Doctor Connors. I don't know if I'll be able to spend much more time in the lab. I'm busy enough as it is...with my job at the Bugle." Peter replied.

Debra rolled her eyes at Peter's comment but she played along. "You should consider cutting back on your hours there," she said. "I've already covered for you too many times."

"I know, Debra. I'm really grateful. In fact, how about we go out for a late night snack? My treat. I mean, if you're not busy or anything."

Debra tried to hide her smile, but instead it stretched all the way across her face. She was completely powerless against Peter's charm. "I guess I'm free. But you're not getting off the hook that easily. I can't cover for you all the time."

"I know. I'll try to be better." Peter replied. They walked in silence for a few moments. Peter reflected on the recent time he'd spent with Debra. He had grown close to her. She was smart and sweet, although perhaps a bit of a know-it-all. He cared for her but he didn't quite feel a spark in their relationship. Maybe he could grow to love her. She would certainly cause him less pain than Felicia. "You know, I've really enjoyed spending time with you lately."

"Me too," Debra replied. She could hardly contain her excitement. Perhaps Peter was going to officially ask her out. There wasn't anything in the world that Debra wanted more than to be his girlfriend.

"Well, I was thinking that maybe, you and I…." Peter was interrupted first by his blaring spider-sense and then the sound of gunshots.

Peter turned to run toward the source of the noise, but then he remembered Debra. "I should go see what that was. You stay here." Peter then raced off to see what had happened.

"Sure thing. Go ahead." Debra sighed but she was sure Peter hadn't heard her. He was already out of sight.

At first, Debra wanted to sulk off and wallow in self-pity. The man she loved was so close to being hers and yet this pointless sense of duty had stolen him away again. She decided that she couldn't give up that easily. If she was ever going to talk him out of this, if she was ever going to claim Peter as her own, she would have to start taking the offensive. So Debra did something very out of character: she headed toward the source of the gunshots.

In mere seconds, Peter had changed into his costume and darted toward the source of the noise. It came from one of the research laboratories. Peter kicked down the locked doors into the laboratory. There he found the Black Cat taking on three men in black. She'd already appeared to have disarmed them. Peter rushed to help her but she was managing fine on her own.

"Nice of you to drop by," the Black Cat panted in between punches. She knocked one of the men unconscious and then drop kicked another. Peter went after the third man and easily defeated him.

"What's going on here?" Peter asked as he helped to tie up the men.

"These men where trying to steal that generator," Felicia replied as she wiped a bead of sweat from her face. Peter looked around the room. He'd heard about this new generator that ESU was working on.

"How did you know about the robbery?"

"I've been watching over this lab for about a week. I read up on that electrical current scrambler you told me about. It seems that several powerful people are trying to build one," Felicia explained. She didn't mention that her mother was one of the people she suspected of getting this machine. The more she found out about the criminal world the more ties she found to her mother's company. "The articles I read mentioned that they'd also need a small but powerful energy source. So I began making patrols over the city's electrical plants. But then I came across an article about this new generator that ESU had just developed. And I started watching these labs as well. It was just a matter of time before someone tried to rip this place off. Now the only question now is to see who these guys are working for. "

"That's brilliant." Peter replied. He was amazed that the Black Cat had done research about the weapons technology. At first he had been skeptical of the Black Cat. But she continued to amaze him with her skills and wit.

And yet, Peter was a little frightened that he hadn't made the connection about the generator. While he had been so focused on his research for school he had gotten behind on what was going on in the criminal underworld. He had almost completely forgotten about the electrical current scrambler that he and the Black Cat had stumbled upon in the back of the Fisk Museum. He shuddered to think what could have happened had Black Cat not been there to stop these criminals.

"Thank you," Felicia smiled back contently. "That means a lot coming from you."

"You know, I guess you might have what it takes to be in the superhero business after all."

"I've got what it takes." Felicia then leaned toward Spider-man and whispered, "And I've got a whole lot more than that if you want to find out." She leaned forward, lifted up his mask and kissed him.

Debra had been watching quietly from behind the doors of the laboratory. She wasn't sure what upset her more: the fact that Peter had just called this seductive woman brilliant or that he was now kissing her. At that moment Debra vowed to find everything she could about the strange new woman in Peter's life.

Note: Sorry about the lack of updates. I will try to do better. I guess that'll be my new year's resolution (among other things). I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks again for your patience and have a happy new year! Jen K.